Residents in Nausori and Nasinu, living along streams and rivers, are concerned that the rapid growth of water hyacinth is a contributing factor to flooding.

They say the invasive aquatic plant was spreading at an alarming rate.

Ravuama Digitaki of Togo, Nausori, said the streams were covered with water hyacinth plants.

“This is why the water cannot escape when it rains heavily. It is definitely a weed and I hope the authorities look at removing it,” he said.

In Laucala Beach, Nasinu, Bal Krishna, 70, said the water hyacinth covers the waterways next to his home and the problem stretches along the drains for more than a kilometre.

“The town council used to clean it up. Because the drains are not cleared and full of these plants, my yard floods when it rains heavily,” he said.

In Sawani and Dilkusha, water hyacinth has covered most of the streams that run adjacent to the Rewa River. From a distance, it looks as if the streams have dried up, giving way to vegetation. Ram Kewal, who has lived in Nausori for more than 50 years, said the invasion of the plants was a serious issue.

“We could see the streams before, but now it looks like as if the streams are not there,” he said.

Nausori Town Council has invited tenders to clean and clear the waterways and drains that have been invaded by water hyacinths.

Edited by Naisa Koroi

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